Booking for your 2nd Vaccine Dose (or your first)

Island Health’s immunization team will return to Thetis Island to conduct COVID-19 vaccine clinics starting June 16 to provide second doses, along with first doses for those who have not yet been vaccinated, including 12–17-year-olds. 

Residents who have received their second dose booking notice will be able to book in to this clinic beginning Monday, June 7 at 9 am. Please follow the link from the text or email you received inviting you to book your second dose. 

Thetis residents who received their first dose on April 28 or 29 will receive an invitation to book their second dose sooner than 8 weeks so they can participate in this clinic. If you do not receive an invitation to book and your clinic is a week away, please call 1-833-838-2323 to have the booking agent schedule your second dose into the “Whole Community Clinic” on Thetis.

If you had your first dose more than 8 weeks ago and have not received a notification to book your second dose, you may not be registered in the provincial vaccination booking system. Please register by going to www.GetVaccinated.gov.bc.ca or call 1-833-838-2323. 

Please note that we will try our best to provide the same brand of mRNA vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) for second doses that were used for first doses, but due to supply issues it may not always be possible. It is both safe and effective to use Moderna and Pfizer mRNA vaccines interchangeably. 

•For more information about the provincial registration system or how to get vaccinated for COVID-19 visit the BC government website.

•For information on Island Health’s Whole Community Clinics visit the Island Health website. 

•If you have questions about Island Health’s clinics in your region please contact Kristen Gregson, Area Director, Central Island Immunization Clinics, at Kristen.Gregson@viha.ca or 250-217-5939.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck, LAFC

Thetis Island Fire Department

Statement from Fire Centre Manager and Bi-weekly Coastal Wildfire News

We share in the grief and outrage expressed across B.C., Canada and the world for the trauma and harms done at the Kamloops residential school – and all residential schools – to so many children, their families, and communities. 

As First Nations work to determine the next steps at that site and other possible sites in the province, it is important that we take our guidance from the respective First Nations. 

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc are leading the response and next steps. The community has asked everyone to reacquaint themselves with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Final Report and Calls to Action, and for people to wear orange shirts as an act of solidarity and to start conversations.

Truth and Reconciliation Committee Reports

Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future. Summary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada:  https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Executive_Summary_English_Web.pdf

Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action: https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

On May 27 the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc reported finding remains of 215 children buried on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. 

So many children were forever taken from families and communities that loved them, and who could not properly mourn them and put them to rest. Last week’s announcement makes that truth real, and very painful.

The immense sense of loss, grief and pain felt by those families and communities is unimaginable and our thoughts are with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, Indigenous communities across Canada and Indigenous peoples on the BC Wildfire Service team. 

We acknowledge with deep respect the work of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, as caretakers of these children. 

This discovery is a stark reminder of the importance of reconciliation, holding space for the past and doing everything we can to build a better future. 

The BC Wildfire Service joined the province in lowering flags to half-mast to honour and respect the stolen children from the former Kamloops Residential School and residential schools across the country.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process. There is much more to be done, and we are fully committed to doing this work. 

Every day our team take steps to strengthen relationships with the Indigenous communities and nations we work in and protect around the province. 

Clint Parker

Fire Centre Manager

Coastal Fire Centre

BC Wildfire Service | Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Phone: 250 947-2614 (New) | Cell: 250 203-0621

Islands Trust News Release: Gabriola, Salt Spring and Victoria Offices Open

https://mailstorm.caorda.com/campaigns/yj360154pz0ce/web-version/bz299xot5we64

What's Fresh @ Jollity Farm?

Open Saturday 10-1

Asparagus
Mixed Salad Greens
Kale
Cilantro
Arugula
Organic Cherry Tomatoes (limited qty)
Chard
Sprouts
Yeshi Dressing
Goat Pepperoni
Annual & Perennial Plants

NEW LOCALLY MADE PRODUCTS COMING SOON (available Sat. June 12)... DUMPLING DROP & MAiiZ ORGANIC TORTILLAS!
Victoria's favourite, handmade dumplings and fresh tortillas (made with organic BC corn) are coming to Thetis Island.

• Dumplings - $16/20 pieces - Vegan  OR  Classic Pork Belly (meat from ethical butchers Farm + Field)
• Tortillas - $10/12 pieces - Stone ground organic BC corn processed using the method of Nixtamalization

Computer Help Available

A while back there was an indication posted that the residents of Thetis Island were looking for someone who can provide computer assistance. 

I've cc'd my son, Perrin Thorson, as he is certified.  I believe quite a lot of help can also be done via remotely. Please feel welcome to email him. 

Could you please let us know if they are still looking for someone?

Thank you,

Catherine Thorson

cathysthorson2015@gmail.com

COVID Immunization Registration and Invitations

Note from the Registration agent 7:30 am Thursday: If you received a registration number by e-mail from BCVaccDoNotReply@hlth.gov.bc.ca or received your registration number by telephone, you are registered and do not need to check to see if you are still registered or need to re-register. If you cannot find your registration number, please contact 1-833-838-2323

For those who were registered and then immunized on Thetis on April 28^th or 29^th, you will be receiving an invitation to book your vaccination appointment before the June 16^th and 17^th Clinic.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/dose-2

(this was checked into following the registration query regarding April 28th immunizations)

Covid Immunization Clinic Registration Confusion

Yes, we are having the Covid Clinic on Thetis at Forbes Hall on June 16 and June 17th.

If you got your first shot before April 6 th, you must register for your second shot here:     https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register

Also, if you got your first shot on Thetis on April 28th when the VIHA computers didn't work, you need to check if you are registered.  

If you can't find your registration number or think you didn't get registered or got your first shot outside of the Province call this number and they can look it up for you:  Call: 1-833-838-2323 | Seven days a week, 7 am to 7 pm (PDT), translators are available

Once you are registered for your 2nd shot, they will contact you to tell you that you can now book a time at the Thetis Island clinic.

They aren't giving booking times yet...they will be doing so in the next few days.

If you haven't had your first vaccination and you were born in 2009 or earlier, you can register online for this clinic.

We were told that the vaccine will be either of the mRNA vaccines Moderna or Pfizer.  Those that got their first shot on Thetis on March 19 received Moderna.  Those that got their shot on Thetis on April 28 or 29 got Pfizer.  We don't yet know which one or both will be used on the 16/17 but I am assured they are interchangeable.  

If you got your first shot in town and have already received a booking time there, call the number to change your clinic to Thetis Island if that works better for you.

Jeannine and Veronica

Round Trip Sailing Cancellation - June 9th

There will be a round trip cancellation for the MV Kuper on Wednesday, June 9, in order to conduct an urgent Right Angle Drive replacement.

The affected sailings are the 9:20 pm departure from Thetis Island, 10:00 pm departure from Chemainus and 10:30 pm departure from Penelakut Island. 

MV Kuper will resume the regular schedule with the 06:10 am departure from Thetis Island Thursday, June 10.

BC Ferries apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and we thank you for your understanding as we complete the required work to ensure your safety.

For more information or traffic updates please follow @BCFerries on Twitter, visit our website at bcferries.com, or call us toll free at 1-888-BCFERRY (223-3779).

For the most up to date information about our sailings and service please follow us on Twitter @BCFerries.

Keith Rush, Route 20 FAC
Ph: 250.416.0013
Cell: 250.732.2766
keithrush17@gmail.com

For Sale:

Extra large Berron food dehydrator- $120

Wide inkle loom- $25

Tapestry loom- $50 

Emily  mlmcvr9@gmail.com

We Have a Date !!!

The next COVID vaccination clinic on Thetis is promised for June 16 and 17.  

The nurses will return to give everyone a second vaccination, and also to anyone who didn't get a first shot, including 12-year-olds and older.  Although we have the dates now, they have not yet opened for bookings on-line.  So the first thing to do is make sure you, and anyone you know who might not get (or read) eSpokes, are pre-registered.  If you have received an email with a registration confirmation number and a link to book online, then you are registered and in the system.  If you haven't, then go to

https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/

or call 1-833-838-2323 between 7am - 7pm any day of the week. As early as possible in the day seems to have a better chance of breaking through the wait time.  If you have already booked a shot elsewhere, but would prefer to have it on Thetis, you can also use this phone number to change your booking.

Once you have the registration confirmation number from them, you'll be ready to book your slot in our clinic here on the 16th or 17th as soon as they open up for it.

If you have any questions, let us know at

covidclinic@thetisislandfire.ca

Final Call for Those Without a Family GP

This is our third and final call to know how many islanders do not have a family doctor within reasonable reach at need. 

This does not include specialists, nor the fact that you can go to the local clinic for whoever is on call, or the Emergency.  It is purely to collect, for VIHA, a good estimate of the number of people on the island who are not registered with a family doctor.  This information will help us to apply for a regular visiting nurse at least, and possibly other medical services and equipment as well. We don't need any personal information, just the number of those in your household who are in this situation. 

Please check with anyone you know who may not have heard about this, and many thanks to those who have already responded!

covidclinic@thetisislandfire.ca

(PS - again, please note, we are just using the above email address for responses - this has nothing to do with the covid clinic)

For Sale:

$15 Yardworks metal square sprinkler
Originally bought 2 new ones from Canadian tire, after testing them out, determined that I only need 1.

35ft square coverage pattern at optimal use.

If no one wants it I will take it back, but thought I’d see if I could save someone the trip across first.
Email: michael.needham313@gmail.com
Michael N